WEBMD.com: Can You Play ‘Catch-Up’ With Sleep, Exercise and Be Healthy?

you can still reap health benefits if you catch up

WEBMD.com – We’re about a week into the new year, and for many of us, that means our resolutions to eat better, get more sleep, and exercise are probably running headlong into real life.

WEBMD.com – We’re about a week into the new year, and for many of us, that means our resolutions to eat better, get more sleep, and exercise are probably running headlong into real life.

Sure, it’s great to get to the gym every day, but sometimes a daily workout has to go if you’ve been up all night with a sick child or you’ve got a pressing project that needs attention at work. Ditto for the idea of packing a healthy lunch and getting plenty of shut-eye.

But don’t give up. Science shows that even if you’ve been less than perfect, you can still reap big health benefits if you catch up.

Didn’t exercise enough last week? Being a weekend warrior has almost as many benefits as Monday-through-Friday workouts. Didn’t get enough shut-eye? Extra ZZZs for a couple of nights can help undo some of the physical harms of cheating your sleep. Ate too much? Studies show that you can make up for overindulging — and even lose some weight — by just being a part-time calorie counter. In fact, experts say, embracing imperfection can help you reach your health goals.